Page 16 of Crown of Ashes and Desire

“Stating facts,” I said calmly. “Our arrangement has terms. I’m merely being transparent about them.”

“In front of my entire court?” The stone railing beneath his hand cracked with the force of his grip. “You deliberately undermine my authority.”

“Your authority?” I allowed my light magic to rise to my skin, creating a subtle glow that pushed back his encroaching shadows. “You forget yourself, Hakan. I am not one of your shadow sycophants. I am Ada, daughter of Gün Ata, and I bow to no one, especially not the man who murdered my betrothed and forced me into this binding.”

“You understand nothing,” he snarled, shadows darkening. “I saved you from a fate worse than death. Your precious Deniz was working for the Karanlikoglu faction—shadow purists who would have harvested your light piece by piece. His…other proclivities made him easy to blackmail, easy to control. They used his weaknesses to ensure his cooperation in their larger schemes.”

I faltered, momentarily thrown by his unexpected claim. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?” His eyes burned with something beyond rage. “Search the bond, Ada. Feel the truth of my words.”

I hesitated, then cautiously opened myself to our connection, probing for deception. To my shock, I felt no lie—only a grim conviction that chilled me to the bone.

“Why would Deniz…?” I began, confusion momentarily replacing anger.

“Because light is power,” Hakan said, voice dropping lower. “And there are those in both our realms who would consume it regardless of the cost.” His eyes darkened dangerously. “You do not know what forces you’re playing with.”

“I understand more than you think.” I refused to be intimidated. “You need this binding to claim your inheritance, just as I need it for mine. The difference is, I’m not pretending this is anything more than a mutual transaction.”

A muscle jumped in his jaw. “You think you can walk away when it suits you?” His voice was barely above a whisper, more menacing. “That I would simply allow it?”

I met his gaze steadily. “I think you’ll have no choice. Once I have my inheritance, I’ll have the power to break any chains—even yours.”

Something flashed in his eyes—rage, yes, but beneath it, something else. Something almost like fear.

“You know nothing of chains,” he whispered. “Or what it takes to break them.”

The terrace doors swung open with perfect timing, breaking the tension between us. Sarp stood there, leaning against the doorframe with a studied casualness that didn’t quite mask his concern.

“Hate to interrupt this touching marital moment,” he drawled, “but your absence is becoming…noted. And by noted, I mean half the court is placing bets on whether you've killed each other."

Hakan didn’t take his eyes off mine. “Entertain them. You were always more charming than I.”

“I think I’ll return with Sarp,” I said, deliberately stepping away from Hakan. “I’ve had quite enough air for one evening.”

We walked back into the hall together, and I could feel Hakan’s burning gaze following us. The moment we were among the crowd again, I adopted a more reserved demeanor, mindful of the watching eyes.

"Thank you," I said quietly to Sarp, my voice low enough that only he could hear. "I needed the rescue."

Sarp nodded, his usual humor tempered by the political atmosphere. "Just be careful, Ada. This court doesn't forgive perceived weaknesses."

Don't think this changes anything,Hakan's words echoed in my mind, sharp with warning.We're not finished.

I didn’t dignify the threat with a response, instead focusing on navigating the political undercurrents of the gathering with Sarp’s subtle guidance.

“Speaking of companions.” Sarp nodded toward a nearby alcove. “I believe yours has arrived.”

Sure enough, Melo was weaving through the crowd, ignoring the shocked stares of the court. She spotted us and approached with feline grace, her tail held high with magnificent disdain.

“There you are,” she said, though her voice carried clearly despite the murmur of conversations. “I was wondering when you’d remember you have more interesting company than these shadow-obsessed peacocks.”

“Melo,” Sarp greeted, giving a respectful nod. “Always a pleasure.”

The three of us moved toward a quieter section near the great windows, where we could speak with more privacy while remaining visible to the court.

"So," Sarp said, wearing a wry smile, "how are you finding married life? I imagine the honeymoon period has been…illuminating."

"The décor is dreadfully gloomy," Melo replied in her typical directness. "All shadows and brooding. Though the mouse situation is quite good for hunting."

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